UPDATED: Netanyahu addresses Congress; lays out dire Iran threat

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the U.S. Congress this morning on the dire threat that Iran poses to his nation.

Netanyahu received a standing ovation from members of Congress prior to taking the podium.

“My friends, I am deeply humbled for the opportunity to speak” at Congress, he said. It was never his intention to be political by speaking at Congress. He thanked Congress for its decade-long support of Israel.

America’s support of Israel has always been above politics, he said. They have a shared vision of a promised land that supports freedom.

Netanyahu thanked President Obama for his support of Israel. “Some of what the president has done for Israel may never be known.”

He thanks Congress for the Iron Dome defense system, which protected millions of Israelis last year.

Concerning Iran and nuclear weapons:

“We are an ancient people” and people have long plotted to destroy us. Tomorrow, people will read the Book of Esther and how she helped save the Jewish people.

Today, another Persian potentate tries to destroy Israel. Their leader spews the oldest hatred with modern technology. “He Tweets. In Iran there is not exactly free Internet. But he Tweets that Israel must be destroyed.”

The people of Iran are very talented people, heirs to one of the great civilizations. But they were hijacked by religious zealots, who drafted a constitution to fulfill jihad.

To defeat ISIS but let Iran develop nuclear weapons “would be to win the battle but lose the war.”

The weapons deal would allow Iran to develop weapons. Concessions to Iran: leave Iran with a vast nuclear infrastructure. Not a single nuclear facility would be demolished. A year or less to develop weapons. Problem with international inspectors: They document problems, they don’t stop them. They did not prevent North Korea from developing nuclear weapons. Also, the restrictions would expire in a decade. Iran then would be free to develop many nuclear bombs.

IN OTHER NEWS

Netanyahu posted this on Facebook this morning: I am thankful for the strong, bipartisan support as I prepare to address Congress at 10:45ET. And thank you to you, the American people, for your support of Israel. He quotes four members of Congress from both parties, including Dem. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York: “I want to hear what the prime minister says…at such a crucial time in our history.”

Yesterday at PM Netanyahu at The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Netanyahu said: “The potential deal with Iran could threaten the survival of Israel. If Iran develops nuclear weapons, it would have the means to annihilate Israel, as it has vowed to do. As prime minister of Israel, I have a moral obligation to speak up in the face of these dangers while there’s still time to avert them.”

God loves Israel. America must continue to support Israel. Our leaders have waved on this crucial issue lately. Please pray for the security of Israel. Both Jews and Muslims deserve peace.